Page 61 of In Cold Blood

Noah veered off onto the driveway that took him down a long lane.

Despite the past, he still felt a fondness for his childhood home.

As he pulled into the driveway with the wide garage at the end, he noticed the Dutch Colonial home had been renovated since he last saw it with the completion of the upper deck over the garage and off the primary suite. His mother had wanted that for a long time. She never did get to see it built. The grey roof looked new as did the siding and a new deep redwood door that matched the garage.

Missing were the baskets of flowers his mother used to hang from the wraparound porch. Still, there were two Adirondack chairs and a porch swing perched to the left of the door.

There were no vehicles in the driveway which was odd.

Noah glanced at his watch as he killed the engine. He was on time. Not too early. Not late. Either one could be problematic. Ray and Maddie should have been there by now. They knew what a stickler Hugh was for being prompt or even early.

Getting out of the truck, he took the leash to connect to Axel but the dog just hopped out and began sniffing the ground, his tail wagging as if he was familiar with the place. “Okay,” he muttered.

Noah soaked in how tidy the front yard was. It was greenerthan green just the way Hugh liked it. Although the man had worked all hours under the sun, he’d always made sure to pay a landscaping company to maintain it.

As a teen, it struck him as odd since no one else could see it from the road.

It wasn’t like they had to maintain it for the sake of a neighborhood or even those who would drift by on their boats. He wouldn’t have minded if his father was there to enjoy it but most of his memories were of Hugh arriving home after dark. There would be a few short words muttered before he would retreat to his study.

Making his way up a winding stone path, Noah tried the door handle.

It was locked. His mother never left it locked but back then few did. It was a different era where neighbors looked out for one another. Times had changed. Noah gave it a short knock and waited, looking down at Axel who looked up at him in a way that seemed as if he was picking up on his anxiety.

Hugh opened the door and Axel went nuts, wagging his tail. Hugh dropped to a crouch to greet the dog. “Axel.” He looked up as he ran his hands through the dog’s hair. “Kerri never mentioned you would be taking him.”

“A last-minute decision to visit her mother.”

“Huh,” he said, rising and looking him up and down. “Well come on in.”

Noah was hit with the familiar aroma of home. It was distinct. Something that couldn’t be forgotten; unique to every family house. The only thing missing was his mother’s hearty welcome, the laughter, and the love she shared.

“Where’s Ray and Maddie?”

“They can’t make it.”

“So it’s just you and me?”

Hugh chuckled but didn’t respond to that. “You can let himoff the leash. He’s familiar with the layout. Luke always let him roam. I fenced in the backyard a few years ago, mostly because of the grandchildren visiting. I guess Axel will have to suffice, hey boy!”

Noah found himself lost in thought as he wandered through the house, reliving the past and feeling a deep sense of nostalgia. Every room held a different memory.

The kitchen out back was bright, the glow of a pendant light lit up the glossy granite countertops and sleek stainless-steel appliances. The cabinets were modern, rich, dark wood with soft-close drawers and under-cabinet lighting. The backsplash was a mosaic tile design. At the center was a large island with a built-in gas stove and a modern sink with a high-arc faucet. Around that were stools. “Glass of wine or a beer?”

“Juice, if you have it.”

Hugh snorted, reached into the fridge, and then poured himself a glass.

Noah noted the wine rack only had a couple of bottles. Hugh caught him staring.

“It’s not empty. I just don’t drink as much as I used to,” he said, handing him the glass.

Noah didn’t buy it for one minute. Not after the way he saw him guzzling alcohol at the funeral. “Can’t do it with all the medication the doctor has me on for my heart. You know I had open heart surgery a few years back?”

“No.” He wanted to say that would have required Hugh to pick up the phone when Noah called but he let it slide. If he was going to be there for a few hours, he didn’t want to shoot himself in the foot in the first few minutes. “How did it go?”

“Ah, nothing I couldn’t handle.” He went to the back door and opened it. “Go on, Axel.” Axel zipped outside and began sniffing. Hugh watched him as he held a glass of orange juice. “Though it would have been easier if your mother had been here.”

And there it was. The bomb dropped.